Author: Executive Director of MomsTEAM Institute, Founder and Publisher, MomsTEAM.com, Producer of The Smartest Team: Making High School Football Safer. Follow Brooke on Twitter @brookedelench. Email her at delench@MomsTEAM.com.

Abuse in Sports: A Primer for Parents

Abuse can occur in several forms and is centered on power, especially the power of the coach over the athlete. The following information should help you identify abuse or neglect, though it is not a complete list of behaviors that are considered abuse and neglect:

Emotional Abuse

Physical Abuse

Slapping, hitting, shaking, throwing equipment at or near a player, kicking, pulling hair or ears, striking, shoving, grabbing, hazing, punishing “poor” play or rule violations through the use of excessive exercise or by denying fluids

An increased risk of violent behavior, juvenile delinquency, involvement in crime in adulthood, and substance abuse

Effects on sports performance

Training effects, such as changes in motivation and reduced enjoyment (possibly leading to burnout and quitting sports), impaired focus, and difficulties with gaining new skills

Performance effects, such as diminished performance

Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect

The following is a list of possible warning signs of abuse and neglect. The presence of any one warning sign does not automatically mean that the child is has been abused or neglected, and some warning signs overlap between types of abuse.

Possible warning signs of emotional abuse

Being more compliant and/or seeking affection more than usual

Low self-esteem and/or low self-confidence

Severe or sudden depression, anxiety, or aggression

Difficulty making or keeping friends

Delayed physical, emotional, and/or intellectual development

Headaches or stomachaches with no medical basis

Caregiver (or coach) who belittles the child, denies love or attention, and seems unconcerned about the child’s problems or well-being

Possible warning signs of physical abuse

Specific patterns of burns, bruises, or other injuries that may suggest the use of an instrument or inappropriate physical contact

Cigarette burns anywhere on the body

Aggressive, disruptive, and/or destructive actions

Abuse of pets or other animals

Passive, withdrawn, and robot-like behavior

Fear of going home or seeing parents or fear of participating in sports

Injuries that appear after a child has not been at school or sports practice for several days

Questionable clothing that may cover injuries to arms or legs

Possible warning signs of sexual abuse

Sexually-transmitted diseases

Genital injuries, perhaps suggested by bloody underwear

Pregnancy

Trouble sitting or walking

Child suddenly does not want to change for gym or practice

Fear of washrooms, locker rooms, or closed doors, or fear of being alone with adults of a certain sex

Nightmares and/or bedwetting

Child attaches quickly to new adults they come into contact with

Knowledge of sexual relations or sexual behavior outside of what is reasonable for a child’s age

Sexual abuse of other children and/or sudden interest in sex disproportionate for a child’s age

It is important to note that sexualized behavior in children is the result of sexual abuse, not its cause

Quitting the team or being reluctant to return to the sports activity

Sleep disorders

Changes in appetite

Running away

Reluctance to talk

Frequent vomiting

Falling grades

Possible warnings signs of neglect (in an athletic context):

Poorly maintained or unsafe equipment

Evidence of unsupervised overnight trips; for example, athletes tell stories of going off by themselves for an inappropriate reason, amount of time, etc.

Injuries that are not taken care of or exacerbated by repeated use without time to heal

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

If your child tells you that he or she is being abused or neglected, you should:

Take them somewhere where they can talk freely

Listen, believe, and support your child

Reassure them continuously and speak on a level that they can understand

Make sure they understand that what happened is not their fault

Contact their pediatrician or other medical provider right away

Each State designates specific agencies to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. Typically, this responsibility is carried out by child protective services (CPS) within a Department of Social Services, Department of Human Resources, or Division of Family and Children Services. In some States, police departments may also receive reports of child abuse or neglect.

For more information or assistance with reporting, please call Childhelp USA ®, 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453), or your local CPS agency.

You do not have to investigate or be certain that abuse has occurred; you only have to suspect its occurrence.

If your report is an emergency, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.